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| | Thanksgiving Day Entertaining Myth Busters!
Holiday myths can drive you crazy! What’s a should myth? It’s a so-called rule about how you should act as a holiday dinner guest, or how you should entertain as a host and they leave no room for error! Nonsense! Entertaining should be a fun and relaxed adventure, not a rigid affair filled with rules and politics. For example:
MYTH BUSTER #1:
Turkey is white meat so you SHOULD serve white wine.
Despite what some pre-holiday newspaper and magazine articles might have you believe, there are no time-honored traditions anywhere in the world that mandate that turkey should only be served with one type of wine. And since turkey can be prepared so many different ways with so many different dressings, side dishes, and sauces, both red and white wines go equally well. Easy rule of thumb: forget the so-called rules and serve what you want. It’s your dinner!
MYTH BUSTER #2:
To Impress Guests, Your Thanksgiving Dinner SHOULD be as Lavish as Possible.
Hogwash! The idea behind Thanksgiving is to focus on the simple things that we’re grateful for in life, and rarely does the pre-meal prayer include mention of the fine silverware, expensive wine glasses, or the extravagant table linens. Your guests are grateful to be in your company. You don’t need to go overboard to impress them. Buy only what you need to feed your guests. Rule of thumb? One pound of turkey per person. Want leftovers? One-and-a-half to two pounds per person will keep you feasting for days. There are plenty of great wines available for under $12 a bottle. Don’t forget about pot-luck! Guests often like to contribute to the dinner and enjoy the raves from their carefully prepared dish. And don’t forget to take advantage of post-holiday sales. Your grocer has plenty of food to move and often sells it at a big discount!
MYTH BUSTER #3:
"You Should Always Serve a Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner."
Nonsense! There are endless ways to add fun (and delicious) flair to the old standard turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie. Surprise your guests with specials that make holiday dining an adventure. The National Turkey Federation suggests you try Mustard Marinated Roasted Turkey Breast Roasted Turkey Breast with Caramelized Onion Sauce Cajun Deep Fried Turkey… and Southwestern Jalapeno Cornbread Dressing. How about Fruited Sweet Potatoes or Ginger Citrus Rice? End your meal with Chocolate Pumpkin Cake with Broiled Coconut Pecan Frosting or Cranberry-Blueberry Pie. Wake up your guests’ taste buds and have fun this Thanksgiving, both in the kitchen and at the dining table!
MYTH BUSTER #4:
It’s Okay to Arrive Empty-Handed if the Host Is Family.
Show your appreciation for being invited no matter who’s hosting by bringing a bottle of wine, fresh-cut flowers, even a beautiful candle or two. You’ll feel more like you’ve contributed to everyone’s enjoyment, and the gesture speaks volumes about your class and consideration.
MYTH BUSTER #5:
The More the Merrier!
Not true! Your first consideration when making your dinner guest list is convenience: how much work do you want to do? Large parties, while often fun, demand significantly more time, effort, and money. Smaller parties are usually quieter and more intimate. Whichever you decide, choose the style of food service that's best suited to the number of guests you're inviting. For an elegant and relaxing meal for four to eight people, a sit-down dinner is best. An informal buffet is an easy and practical way to serve larger parties. Should you choose the buffet, arrange foods in a logical order and allow guests to serve themselves from both sides of the table to avoid long lines.
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